Find out if you need a planning permit

person searching a property on the vic plan website

Whether you’re renovating your house, building a shed, starting a home business or another type of improvement to your property, this service can help you:

  • determine if your project requires a planning permit
  • understand why a permit is or isn't needed, with references to the relevant planning rules
  • determine what documents you'll likely need to submit with your planning permit application

How it works

  1. After pressing 'start now', you'll be asked to sign up.
  2. You'll then be asked to enter the address of your development proposal.
  3. After that, you'll be asked a series of questions about your proposal.
  4. Once enough information has been gathered about your proposal, the service will generate an analysis stating whether it's likely a planning permit is required.

Start now

Your result from this service is not an official planning decision
The result is a helpful guide, but it's not a planning decision. This service provides preliminary information only. You should always exercise due diligence by obtaining a confirmation through written planning advice or by obtaining a planning permit if required. Moving forward without necessary permits may lead to enforcement action.

Frequently asked questions

Is this service right for me?

What types of development does this service cover?

This service is best for residential developments like home extensions, swimming pools and sheds, as well as developments related to residential properties such as home-based businesses.

The service is also not suitable for more complex proposals like subdivision and large multi-unit developments. Please contact Council to discuss these types of proposals with a planner.

Can I use this service for a property I’m looking to purchase?

Yes. You can enquire about any address in a residential or rural zone in the Yarra Ranges local area.

 

What if I don't know or haven't decided on a detail of my project?

That's okay! The service can provide guidance based on the information you do have. If there are details you're unsure about, you can explore different options with the service to understand the planning implications.

I'm a professional in the building sector. Is this service suitable for me?

Yes. The service can be used by building professionals to quickly check planning requirements.

 

Reliability of results

Will I get a definitive answer from this service?

The service provides guidance based on the information you provide and its interpretation of the planning rules.

However, it cannot consider certain important factors such as encumbrances or caveats on the property title, previous planning permits, or existing uses that are grandfathered in.

Therefore, the service’s advice should always be reviewed by a council or private planner for final advice before proceeding, even if the case doesn't seem complex.

How accurate and reliable is the advice?

The service’s advice is based on a careful analysis of the planning legislation relevant to your site and proposal. It cites the specific rules and clauses that it bases its interpretations on. However, as it cannot yet access certain property-specific data, its advice should be taken as guidance rather than a definitive answer.

 

Can I get a planner to verify the answers provided by this service?

Yes. Contact us to discuss the service’s advice with a planner.

 

Privacy and security

What data does the service collect and how is it used?

The service collects the information you provide about your project, which is used to provide guidance on planning requirements. The email you use to sign up is used to send you a copy of your results. No personal data is used for any other purpose.

 

Where is my data stored and is it secure?

All data is securely hosted on servers located in Australia. We adhere to strict data protection regulations and employ robust security measures to safeguard your information.

 

Who built this service?

This service is delivered by MyLot, an Australian technology company focused on AI for the planning and building sector. Learn more at mylot.ai.

 

Does the service use AI?

Yes. The service uses AI to ask you the right questions about your proposal and to generate a report. Your email and property address are not disclosed to the AI and are not used to train the AI.

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